Rolleiflex 2.8F
The pinnacle of German TLR engineering — the camera that defined street photography.
Photo: Juhanson · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Specifications
| Taking Lens | Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8 or Schneider Xenotar 80mm f/2.8 |
| Viewing Lens | Heidosmat 80mm f/2.8 |
| Lens Elements | 5 |
| Shutter | Synchro-Compur |
| Shutter Speeds | 1s - 1/500s + B |
| Light Meter | Selenium (built-in) |
| Filter Mount | Bay III |
| Focusing | Crank with auto film stop |
| Weight | 1250g |
- Pinnacle of Rolleiflex design
- Interchangeable focusing screens
- Built-in meter with EV scale
- 21 year production run
- Choice of Planar or Xenotar lens
History
The Rolleiflex 2.8F represents the ultimate evolution of the twin-lens reflex design that began in 1929. Built by Franke & Heidecke in Braunschweig, Germany, it combined legendary Zeiss or Schneider optics with precision German engineering. Its whisper-quiet leaf shutter and waist-level viewing made it the perfect tool for candid street photography, allowing photographers to capture subjects in their natural state without the intimidation of eye-level shooting.
Notable Photographers
Vivian Maier, Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Robert Doisneau, Helmut Newton, Gordon Parks, Lee Miller, David Bailey
Cultural Significance
Gained renewed fame after the 2011 discovery of Vivian Maier's archive of over 150,000 street photographs, mostly shot on Rolleiflex cameras. Featured in the documentary 'Finding Vivian Maier.'
Innovations
- Interchangeable focusing screens
- Built-in coupled selenium meter
- Legendary Zeiss Planar optics
Collector Notes
The most refined Rolleiflex TLR. Highly sought after. Planar vs Xenotar is personal preference — both produce stunning results with subtle rendering differences.
Current Market Prices (USD)
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Poor | $500 – $900 |
| Average | $1000 – $1400 |
| Good | $1400 – $2000 |
| Excellent | $2000 – $2800 |
| Mint | $2800 – $4000 |
Source: eBay 2024
Shop for Rolleiflex 2.8F on eBay
Articles & Reviews
- Rolleiflex 2.8F Planar - The One Medium Format Camera — Tahusa
- Rolleiflex 2.8F – An Old-Timer in the Digital Age — TLRgraphy
- NOT Being Vivian Maier: Rolleiflex 2.8F camera review — EMULSIVE
- Rolleiflex 2.8F Camera Review — Soper Photographic
Manuals & Documentation
Photo Galleries
Shoot with your Rolleiflex 2.8F
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